Chapter 10
The next morning.
“What a fresh and bright day!”
Today was finally the official debut of villainess Serina!
In the afternoon, the secret tea party would begin!
Serina opened the window and swayed her body happily.
There was only one reason she was so excited.
To invite Helia like the villainess in the novel, bully her, and achieve her goal—breaking the engagement!
“Are you really looking forward to this afternoon?”
Maron, who had just entered the room, asked.
“It’s a secret…!”
Serina quickly pulled Maron closer after noticing Merilly behind her.
“Don’t worry! I didn’t tell anyone. Lady Merilly just came in, so she didn’t hear anything!”
Maron whispered.
But her calm attitude made Serina even more nervous.
Serina glanced at Merilly. Her face looked the same as always.
Since Serina and Maron were usually together, she didn’t seem suspicious.
“Ah~ maybe I’ll go eat breakfast for once!”
Serina purposely said something else.
She didn’t want Merilly to question where she was going.
But it backfired.
“Oh my, really? Then I’ll escort you to the dining room.”
Merilly, who always cared about her health, immediately reacted.
“…I can go alone. I’m not a baby.”
“I know that, my lady. But since you don’t usually eat breakfast, I must ask them to prepare your portion.”
‘Ah… I didn’t think of that.’
Eating breakfast was a bad excuse!
If I refuse now, it’ll look suspicious…
So Serina nodded and held Merilly’s hand.
She went to the dining room and forced herself to eat.
‘First goal of today: the kitchen!’
A sweet smell filled the hallway near the kitchen.
Knock knock—
The chef opened the door.
“Chef! Is the basket ready?”
“Of course. The cookies taste best fresh, so I’ll have them delivered this afternoon.”
“Yay! Then please send them to the garden around 2:30!”
After finishing, Serina returned to her room.
“There’s still a lot of time until 3… what should I do?”
Then—
“Ah! The tea table!”
In the novel, even if it was just an excuse, the villainess prepared everything perfectly.
“I need to prepare everything properly so the princess lets her guard down!”
Serina decided to decorate the tea table.
“Maron, help me decorate!”
“I’ll prepare everything—the tablecloth, vase, and tray!”
“And don’t let anyone find out!”
“Yes, just trust me!”
Serina knew she couldn’t do it alone.
So she involved Maron again as her accomplice.
(Of course, Maron thought it was just a friendly tea party.)
Time passed, and the snack basket arrived.
Serina and Maron covered the table with a white lace cloth and placed blue roses in a vase.
At 2:30, they arranged desserts nicely.
Teacups and utensils were placed perfectly.
“Maron, thank you! I couldn’t have done this alone.”
“I didn’t do much.”
As the time got closer, Maron stepped away.
Serina sat alone, swinging her legs as she waited.
Soon—
She saw Helia’s silhouette.
‘She’s here!’
Serina jumped up and ran to greet her.
“Princess Helia, thank you for coming to my tea party.”
She spoke politely, copying what she had seen before.
“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Serina.”
Helia smiled.
She was slightly dressed up today.
Even her small movements looked graceful.
‘Wow… she’s even prettier today.’
But—
‘No! Don’t forget the purpose of this tea party!’
Today was her villainess debut!
“Please have a seat. I prepared this myself.”
“This is wonderful. I think you have talent in art.”
‘Huh?’
Is she mocking me?
“I-I’m honored you think so.”
Serina ignored it for now.
“I’ll pour your tea.”
She carefully poured tea into Helia’s cup.
Then poured plain water into her own.
“Do you not like tea, Lady Serina?”
“No, I just don’t feel like drinking it today.”
‘Normally I would… but…’
‘If I throw tea, her clothes will get stained…’
Serina stared at her cup.
‘…Now it’s time.’
She prepared herself.
“Do you know why I invited you today?”
She gently blew on her cup and took a sip.
“I’m not sure.”
Helia answered calmly.
‘Step one: speak gently and point out the problem.’
“I was just wondering… do you think you match well with my brother?”
Helia looked at her.
“Why do you ask?”
“I don’t think you match.”
Serina spoke more sharply.
“You should know your place. You and my brother live in completely different worlds.”
“Is that so?”
Helia calmly drank her tea.
‘Is she getting thirsty now?’
Serina smirked.
‘Final step… if she refuses, throw the tea!’
“Break off your engagement with my brother.”
‘Accept it!’
Otherwise I’ll really throw it.
“This is not something I can decide alone. Maybe you should find another way.”
Helia refused.
‘She really refused?’
“I’m trying so hard not to throw water!”
Serina’s hand trembled.
“My brother only cares about me! You’ll always come second!”
Sorry, brother…
“Then I don’t mind that. I would rather he takes better care of you.”
Helia smiled softly.
‘…I really didn’t want to do this.’
But—
I don’t care anymore!
Serina checked the temperature of her cup.
It had already cooled down.
She added a bit more water using magic.
Her hand trembled—
Then—
She used wind magic and threw it.
Splash—
Water rushed like a small wave and hit Helia.
Her dress slowly became wet.
‘…How can she still look like that?’
Instead of looking messy—
She looked like a flower covered in morning dew.
For a moment, Serina forgot her lines.
But then she remembered.
“This is ridiculous! You still don’t know your place! I have never once considered you my brother’s fiancée. Remember this—next time, it won’t end like this. So break off the engagement yourself.”
‘I did it… perfectly!’
She felt proud.
She looked at Helia, maintaining her act.
Click—clack—
Footsteps echoed.
A bad feeling.
Déjà vu.
It was—
Her mother, Aura.
“…M-mother?”
‘Why does she always appear at times like this?!’
Right now—
She looked exactly like a villainess bullying the heroine.
“…I’m doomed.”
The teacup slipped from Serina’s hand and fell.
